“Queen of the San Juans”, a photo from Colorado, West

Photographer's Note

After booking into our hotel in Ouray, we drove to Ridgway and then to the Dallas Divide to catch the last of the light on the San Juan Mountains, and in particular Mount Sneffels. Known as the “Queen of the San Juans” , Mount Sneffels is the second highest of the San Juan peaks (Uncompahgre Peak is the highest).

This view has also featured in several Westerns including “How the West was Won,” and more notably, in “True Grit”. Dallas Divide, Log Hill Mesa and Owl Creek Pass are the best places to see Mount Sneffels.

After the sun went down John & Joanne took us to an excellent Mexican restaurant in Ridgway for dinner.

I zoomed right in for this one, but there is a wide view in the WS

ISO 100, FL120

snunney, fabio_ts, besnard, delkoo, josepmarin, ktanska, Floydian, Muse, cherryripe, Guenther, Cricri, Wandering_Dan, s_lush, fulvio52, chrisnet, robiuk, jaywalker, avene, jwmunro, shevchenko, papagolf21, stego, Sistercosmo, Emile, Photo65Net, Graal, jlbrthnn, rodgerg, danos, carper, gunbud, Kielia, saylan-cb, bostankorkulugu, xuaxo, alvaraalto, riclopes, Henryk_Bilor, Royaldevon, ruisc_pt, JCG, Didi, zmey, Bluejeans marcou esta nota como útil

Critiques | Translate

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2009-02-04 4:12

Hi Kath.

Another lovely lanscape!! Excellent light!!!

Rgs ,Oscar

snunney (130967) 2009-02-04 4:26

Hello Kath,
I like the close-up view here and the framing from the fence. A very nice light along the upper part of the mountains and the foreground fields. Interesting moody sky to ad to the atmosphere.

fabio_ts (13696) 2009-02-04 4:26

Hi Kath,
I'm back after a long month, and I've found this wonderful image in the gallery... excellent work and a pleasant welcome back for me :o)

all my compliments!!

have a nice day, Fabio

besnard (59196) 2009-02-04 4:27

Bonjour Kath
Une lumière qui donne des couleurs assez extraordinaires sur ce paysage montagneux.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

AgnesNap (2) 2009-02-04 4:28 [Comment]

Show Comment

Bruno40 (6662) 2009-02-04 4:29

Hi Kath,
Great landscape, enhanced with a wonderful light. I ;like the almost two different layers composition.
Very well done
Jorge

devimeuxbe (58557) 2009-02-04 4:32

Hi Kath
wouaaa; What a beautifull light on this mountain. the contrast with the dark sky is very nice.
very nice landscape
well done
Bertrand

rlrad (1845) 2009-02-04 4:43

Hi Kath - that is a wonderful photograph for certain. I really like the deep saturation and use of the bands of sunlight. The workshop photo is excellent, too. The fence zig-zagging through the foreground makes that picture for me.

Thank you,
Reed Radcliffe
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

delkoo (68) 2009-02-04 4:45

hi kath
You have taken advantage of that little break in the clouds to achieve this stunning landscape .
The light is superb.

didier

Greg1949 (9011) 2009-02-04 4:48

Kath, you do some good work and I admit that I like a lot more of your work that I comment on but this one is awesome, a WOW shot. It is so crisp and the color so rich and your handling of the exposure so perfect that I had to write this one. Great capture, fantastic work.

Greg

josepmarin (59385) 2009-02-04 4:51

Hello Kath,
wow! what a wonderful light you have caught in this photo! Its effect on this magnificent scenery is perfect, because it illuminates a part of the fields and of the rock of the mountains, in a nice graphic game with the shades.
At the same time, it offers us a luminosity and a really few beautiful warm colors.
Excellent composition, it is very elegant and attractive.
Best wishes,
Josep

coco (30439) 2009-02-04 4:59

Hi Kath.

Better this one than the wider one (I love this kind of pictures with the long lens).
You played very well with the light and especially with a wonderful composition and DOF.

Splendid work.
Regards.

smarcell (19965) 2009-02-04 5:04

A very special light, which enhances the contrast, also due to the dark sky.
The result is an excellent landscape picture
Regards Stefano

ktanska (44416) 2009-02-04 5:15

Hi Kath,
Now you have tele version, thanks!
One of those golden moments that are hard to predict because of fast changing clouds and angle of sun. You just need to be ready. Just wonderful golden light. And clouds that seem to be illuminated inside out.
Kari

Gerrit (62042) 2009-02-04 5:17

Hi Kath,
Quite different, more an Alpine landscape, but very beautiful.
Well balanced composition in delicious late light.
Rgards, Gerrit

dta (98848) 2009-02-04 5:18

Hello kath ,
Wonderful mountain landscape , with a great light , here , and a fabulous sky . The peak is beautiful , of course , but the fore ground is very nice , too .
Regards
Denis

Floydian (30970) 2009-02-04 5:40

Hello Kath,

Both version are wonderful in colour and contrast, but most of all in the setting how you made them. Colours are rich with contrast and saturation, dark and moody, but that works very good here. The dark sky enhance that feeling even more. I wonder how much pp you did here, but whatever you did or didn't, the result looks great.
A stunning shot from a stunning location....great piece of work.

Take care,

Henk

[3] +

Muse (35030) 2009-02-04 7:34

Hello Kath,
Une magnifique région. Les couleurs et la lumière sont superbes. Le pov très bien choisi.
Très belle compo
Best regards
denise

Silverkey (1435) 2009-02-04 7:44

Hi Kath
Still amazing colors and amazing textures on your picture
Really wonderful
Mickaël

mesutilgim (0) 2009-02-04 7:45

Hi Kath,
Very dramatic light which underlines all the "beauty" of the scenery.
Very good pov perfect light management. Simple but nice framing and good usefull notes.
TFS and
best regards

MESUT ILGIM

PS.Thanks for your message regarding scoring !

pboehringer (770) 2009-02-04 7:46

Kath,
this light hitting the landscape and at the same time having this dark sky makes this a fabulous moment.
On the technical aspect of this shot I ahve the impression of a slight lack of sharpness or the look of some compression artifacts. But those are the limitations on TE and the already discussed that several times.
Peter

[2]

cherryripe (21033) 2009-02-04 8:18

Hi Kath
The light is stunning here, so warm. The play with the shadows is pretty too. I actually prefer the wider view as the fence is much more dynamic guiding the eye to the mountain.
Regards
Nikki
P.S. Bye the way, did you travel around by car or did you have a camping car ?

Guenther (10915) 2009-02-04 8:37

Hi Kath,

dramatic scenary, gorgeous light on the beautiful landscape, well composed, too; it looks almost like a painting. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Günther

Cricri (176) 2009-02-04 9:12

Hi Kath
Magnifique cette lumiére qui donne un contraste des plus attirant dans ce trés beau paysage, bien aussi le WS mais celle çi est superbe
Friendship
cricri

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2009-02-04 9:16

Hi, Kath -

I like this one all right, but I think the WS is better - the zigzag fence is a classic, and the lighting is better in the other shot.

Best,
Dan

s_lush (16602) 2009-02-04 9:29

Hello Kath,
Beautiful picture! This alternation of light and shadow makes a 3D effect and a special mood. The composition and the quality are marvelous. Perfectly good job!
Best regards,
Sergiy

gilou530 (34) 2009-02-04 9:30

salut kath
une lumière du soir qui donne de sacré couleurs même si tu as saturée ton cadrage, un paysage toujour aussi grandiose
amitiés
gilbert

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-04 11:35

Hi, Kath.
Busy as hell since 6.00 AM this morning but I just HAD to stop by, shower & dinner can wait for a moment. Now, I reckon I can safely state the light display is so truthful to this area that it feels like I'm standing out on that field, looking at that magnificent jagged range. I remember dramatic sunsets at Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir in late June 2006... clouds running in the sky, the air getting chilly, the last sunlight cutting in like a razorblade. Well, in all honesty what I see here is... what I remember, no more no less. No need for high-tech chitchat : it's an awesome shot, you captured light and mood like you were born and living in Ridgway. Cheers!
By the way, that Mexican restaurant should be the Adobe Inn, it's the only one I know in town. That being the case : excellent choice! Have a nice evening, I'll see you soon.
Fulvio.

chrisnet (23062) 2009-02-04 11:54

Hello Kath,
Another splendid mountain landscape under a very nice light, thanks for this interesting and wonderful shot.
Regards
Christian

saxo042 (38078) 2009-02-04 12:27

Hi Kath,
The last rays of the sun are painting this picture with extraordinary colours. The dark sky is an extra bonus!
Best regards
Gunnar

jjbach (9326) 2009-02-04 13:43

Amazing light!
Wonderful shot!

Congrats
John

robiuk (10807) 2009-02-04 14:51

Geee!
I can't believe the colour contrast in this frame, Kath!
The sky looks superb filled with these low dark clouds...
what makes this one are layers of warm sunlight vs large
shadowed areas.
Very dramatic with a gorgeous light, indeed!
Ta,
Robi

jaywalker (16105) 2009-02-04 15:55

Hi Kath, An amazing piece of art you have captured in this shot, the mountain range in the distance is spectacular & the light is wonderful, the dark clouds look ominous & contrast superbly, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-02-04 16:05

Hello Kath!
Another spectacular wild landscape picture!
Colors are fantastic! The sunlight reaching all the elements in the image is also wonderful! Well chosen pov and perfect composition! Sharpness and exposure are very good too! I really like it! TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

gneufeld (15890) 2009-02-04 16:21

Hi Kath,
This is nice - wow, its all about light! I really like how the meandering fence add such a nice touch to this gorgeous landscape with those towering mountains in the background. TFS. Gerald

avene (12675) 2009-02-04 17:26

hi Kath,
seems you have all colours of the rainbow here, including some purple in the clouds, and such an abundance of colours attracts me immediately :) I like a lot how you have built the photo from different layers that create a good lead-in for the eye towards the sun-lit peak. excellent work, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

jwmunro (286) 2009-02-04 19:46

Hello Kath -

I hope you have stayed warm these last few days.

You got the light spot on in my book! My images are just do-do compared to this one. I like the side light how it lights the foreground and the background while leaving the middle in shadows. The light on the fence is just a tad harsh, but I am sure you can recover it with a bit of work. I like the moody feel that you have developed. As I recall we were all working feverishly to capture the last light and trying to stay warm with the bitting wind coming down the divide. You nailed it, as we like to say here in the USA.

Thank you for sharing.

John

shevchenko (20560) 2009-02-04 20:44

Hello Kath,
Impressive natural view, golden sunlight make the scene more colorful, good pov to show the peak, I like the wooden fences in unbroken 'Z' that show in WS, thanks for sharing.
Ally

PixelTerror (0) 2009-02-04 22:51

Hi Kath,
Maybe not the most spectacular place you have shown so far, but there is a very nice warming light on this landscape that works best against the dark clouds.
Have a nice day JY

syrus_persia (2270) 2009-02-04 23:17

Salam Kath
Wonderful photo my friend
Congratulations
The colours are great
Best regards
cyrus

danyy (0) 2009-02-05 0:07

Bonjour Kath,
des couleurs et des contrastes dans les lumières très puissnats, l'exposition a été judicieusement déterminée.
Un avant plan qui fournit de la profondeur supplémentaire.
C'est très spectaculaire.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

papagolf21 (152605) 2009-02-05 4:29

Chère Kath,
Quel voyage ! J'imagine le bonheur que vous avez dû éprouver en découvrant ces merveilles.
Mais, ce n'est pas tout de les regarder, de les admirer, encore faut-il reproduire la beauté ressentie sur place.
Je reste sous le charme !
Mille mercis.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2009-02-05 5:44

An amazing photo...
I like the composition with the POV and lighting.
Very good job.
Greetings.
Ahmet

Dyerco (10185) 2009-02-05 7:26

Hi Kath
This one is going to my favourites. The light is just superb. You can't beat front lighting when the BG sky is dark and brooding. Looks like you were there at precisely the right time.
Phil

UlfE (14641) 2009-02-05 12:00

Hi Kath,

What a fantastic light. The landscape is really beautiful but the light make it even more beautiful. The number of pictures you have taken on your trip is really impressive. You must have worked very hard to be in the right place in the right time. TFS and have a nice evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

stego (24132) 2009-02-05 12:11

Hi Kath,

Hooray! Another fabulous sunset photo of the Far West by Kath! That gorgeous light would give a superb photo to a skilled and inspired photographer in any circumstance, but having it together with such a scenic backdrop is much more rare.

Indeed a stunning image!

As usual, the WS fully deserved a main post. "Dynamics" wise it may even be more catchy than this one, but overall I tend to prefer this one, the closer view of the mountain is more appealing.

Regards, José.

Sistercosmo (242) 2009-02-05 13:25

Hi Kath,
this is simply fabulous! What an amazing light you had! I love the zoomed version here. The details of the trees, the fence and those clouds is simply impressive. Wow!
Thanks and take care!
Linda

Emile (20352) 2009-02-05 14:48

Hola Kath.
You were very lucky to get the last sunlight of the evening on the impressive mountain and field during this cloudy day, the contrast with the dark sky is very good. Your WS is also a great photo. Good work.
Best wishes.

Photo65Net (43144) 2009-02-05 22:37

Hello Kath,
Wow !
An amazing light, and of course a superb landscape... You did great job watching these... Beautiful result !
Have a nice day,
JB.

Graal (103040) 2009-02-05 23:18

Hi Kath,
great mountain. I like the game of light and shadows. Nice warm colours. Good note also. Well photojob. Superb travel You had.
Gr., Aleksander

jlbrthnn (76043) 2009-02-06 2:15

Hello Kath,
Nothing any more stops you, you make more and more extremely, increasingly beautiful. The light is absolutely single and splendid. The mountain still appears more superb. Very a great success. Congratulations.
Have a nice day and weekend
Cordially
Joël

rodgerg (55767) 2009-02-06 4:54

Hello Kath,

Superb landacape very well composed. Very nice play of shade and light well colected. Wram colours under a beautiful sky. A very good and pleasant view.
have a good WE,
Roger

danos (110407) 2009-02-06 6:47

Hello Kath,
you were on the right time to catch the last of the light on the San Juan Mountains. Excellent shot with the melt snows and the threaten sky to create a gorgeous moment in the scene.I like the texture of the Mt.Well done.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-02-06 6:48

What a superb mountain view! Your photo is very clear and the composition is excellent. And the colours are erally stunning
Best wishes,
Achim

carper (96) 2009-02-06 7:23

very nice photo Kath,
a pleasure to look to this fantastic mountain, you was there on the right time with a fantastic light, well composed good photo job, I like it. have a good weekend.
regard jaap

gunbud (34066) 2009-02-06 8:05

Hi Kath,
Was here about 30 years ago and my jaw stayed dropped the whole time.
The sky is a perfect example how the weather changes so quickly in the high mountains.
The lighting is subperb with the brilliant foreground giving way to shadows till we reach the jagged snow capped peaks that seen in a marvelous glow that highlights their special details.
Regards, Tom

Kielia (24077) 2009-02-06 9:05

Hi Kath,
very fascinating landscape and excellent photo work! I must admit that also this time I like the image in WS more than the original. The colors are wonderful but it is the light that makes the photos really very attractive. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

ysabaner (1069) 2009-02-06 13:03

Was taken from an excellent wide-angle picture, light and colors are great, the sky and the mountains is another good-looking, well done.
Yahya

saylan-cb (12738) 2009-02-06 14:27

Hi Kath,
This is a very beautiful view with great compositions and the colours,the light are perfect.I like the DOF and dark sky here.
Excelent work!
TFS/Regards

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2009-02-06 16:44

the light in this one looks so special... like a golden touch here and there... beautiful kath...

keribar (43841) 2009-02-06 21:50

Hello Kath,
I wish I was there in these trips, I never get tired to see and shoot these great nature landscapes. I think I have a preference for the one in the workshop because I believe I wouldn't crop these pretty clouds.

All the best to you - Izzet

xuaxo (6854) 2009-02-07 1:06

Hello Kath,
Outstanding picture, like most of your USA 2008 series. This light was there for a great photo and you got it.
The WS is also wonderful; I don't know which I prefer.
Regards,
F.

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-02-07 3:09

Hi Kath,

Beautiful landscape with very special light conditions.
I like the low sunlight on the plain and the top of the mountain beautiful contrasting against the dark sky.

Groet Rob

cigdom (2594) 2009-02-07 3:22

Hi Kath,
This photo is really like a postcard! Beautiful lighting, amazing colours and wonderful comosition. Very well composed.
Tfs
regards.
Cigdem

riclopes (35577) 2009-02-07 8:12

wow, what a marvellous dramatic light you got here, Kath. The show on the whole landscape is amazing. I agree with the choice for this zoom on the peak but the wider view in WS is no less impressive and I love the zig-zagging of the fence across the field. Not a surprise the success of this photo so far - after all, photography is all about light and the place is very beautiful, once again. By now I already dream of moving into the USA...
ric

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2009-02-07 8:56

Hi Kath
Stunning view at the mountains. Great light.
What have you eaten for dinner?:)
Regards

Royaldevon (85576) 2009-02-08 1:53

Good Morning Kath,

What a view! What incredible light! In fact I have found myself looking very carefully at each part of the shot to absorb and compare the light. It truly is amazing!
I love how you have used the f/g trees as a balance with the mountains in the b/g.
With the natural features and your careful composition, this really is outstanding.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

ruisc_pt (11584) 2009-02-08 5:21

A fantastic and stuning view.
It seems you did it in HDR image.
Great work.
Congratulations
Rui

JCG (35153) 2009-02-08 7:19

Hi Kath,

The light is sublime on this photograph and which contrast with this stormy sky. I like much the colors. An impressive and attractive landscape. Thank you Kath for the complementary photograph which could have made a publication with it all alone.

With all my friendships and a good end of WE,

Jean-Charles

anesugur (18789) 2009-02-08 13:04

Hi Kath,
Very nice shot.
I like this composition and POV.
The light and colors are also wonderful.
Thanks and best wishes. Uğur

batalay (41261) 2009-02-08 19:31

Hello Kath,

This is a spectacular shot of the San Juan Mountains. The crisp air is so transparent that you are able to get these vivid colors and the obsidian sharpness in the resolution. Of course, the composition is the achievement of a superb piece of apparatus in the hands of a skilled photographer.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Angshu (56760) 2009-02-08 20:54

Hello Kath
Superb! Excellent contrast brought out by the sun & the shadows. The dark clouds create a lovely cap over the the mountains, especially which part of the peaks lit up by the sunlight. Fine framing with the shrubs in the FG & the fence. Fine shot! The WS view is also fine, I especially like the zigzag fence which is not apparent in the main post.
Best Regards
Angshu

James_mcg (196) 2009-02-09 3:13

Hi Kath,
What a fantastic photo here. Awewsome landscape, great POV, the dramatic sky really tops it off.
Jim

Didi (61589) 2009-02-10 10:25

Hi Kath
Wow ! Nice lights management in the field and on the mountain with a dramatic sky, wonderfull place indees.
Best regards.

zmey (7335) 2009-02-15 19:07

hi Kath
the light is amazing and so is your pick of the sky: serves the serene majesty of the mountain well. yes, from images like this one, my appetite for visiting colorado grows to unbearable levels ;)

warm regards,
kristaps

foozi (7101) 2009-02-18 6:20

Hi Kath,
just simple exciting and brilliant. superbs colours in richness and clarity. Well composed in excellent use of light and dramatic landscape.

Regards,
Foozi

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-02-20 5:38

Hello Kath,
Linda esta paisagem de grande beleza natural , ficou linda esta luz em tons dourados , gostei muito do céu , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sagar (2410) 2009-03-10 13:05

Hi Kath,
A beautiful place where ruggedness has an aesthetic appeal. Beautifully composed.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

cobbydale (1958) 2009-06-08 14:35

This is a real stunner Kath! Even with so many great shots that you've posted the thumbnail stood out for me. The mountains and the sky are amazing - so moody and intense. Wonderful light and colours.
cheers
Leon

cielo (61) 2009-07-24 14:06 [Comment]

Show Comment

Bianconeri78 (701) 2009-08-05 16:33

Awesome light and high drama in the sky in this one.
Well done!

Photo Information

Copyright: Kath Featherstone (feather) (51130)
Genre: Lugares
Medium: Cor
Date Taken: 2008-09-21
Categories: Natureza
Camera: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF 24-120mm D, RAW
Exposição: f/13.0, 1/6 segundos
Details: Tripod: Yes
Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
Relato de Viagem: USA 2008
Tema(s): My favorite photos, JB's Daily Pick(s) From Your Pics II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-02-04 4:10
Favoritos: 2 [ver]

Viewed: 5098

Points: 156

Discussions

To Floydian: PP (2)
by feather, last updated 2009-02-04 06:41
To cherryripe: Travel (3)
by feather, last updated 2009-02-04 12:30
To fulvio52: Light (2)
by feather, last updated 2009-02-04 01:00
To jwmunro: Dallas Divide images (1)
by feather, last updated 2009-02-05 03:51
To Dyerco: Thank you (1)
by feather, last updated 2009-02-05 08:14

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Additional Photos by Kath Featherstone (feather) (51130)

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Cumbria photo
Lancashire photo

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::: “Queen of the San Juans” by feather (51130)

Photographer's Note

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Additional Photos by Kath Featherstone (feather) (51130)

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